§ LORD CHARLES BERESFORD (York)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board of Admiralty are still satisfied with the progress of the works at Gibraltar under departmental control; and, if not, whether he would place the completion of the works in the hands of contractors without further delay?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTYThe works at Gibraltar have progressed quite satisfactorily under departmental control. A large number of men are employed. The extension of the Admiralty mole is being executed by contract, which will be completed next year. The commencement of the works at Portland and Gibraltar by departmental labour has been found to result in a great saving of time in the initial stages, but the usual Admiralty custom is to carry out all large works by contract. Portland was turned over to a contractor in January last after the complete scheme had been worked out in detail, and Gibraltar will be similarly turned over in the autumn of this year.